Free time is the period included in the freight rate for loading or unloading a truck. If the vehicle is held longer than the agreed free time, the carrier may charge for the extra waiting.
Free time is not fixed by any convention; it is agreed per shipment and should be stated in the quote. The charge that applies after it ends is detention. On long international routes a delayed departure can also move the truck into a later border or ferry slot, so the cost of a slow loading is not only the waiting fee. Having goods and documents ready before the truck arrives keeps loading within free time.
